Module E: Economics, Work, and Happiness - PowerPoint Presentation

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Module E:Economics, Work, and Happiness

Common Sense Economics ~What Everyone Should Know About Wealth and Prosperity

http://CommonSenseEconomics.com/

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Turn on the learning light!Slide2

Secret to HappinessRead: A Formula for Happiness by Arthur Brooks

Watch: The Secret to Happiness by Arthur Brooks2http://commonsenseeconomics.com/Slide3

Secret to HappinessSustained happiness is essentially satisfaction with one’s life.

What affects happiness?GeneticsBig life eventsChoices3http://commonsenseeconomics.com/Slide4

Secret to HappinessGeneticsAccording to Arthur Brooks, 48% of happiness is influenced by genetics

Some are natural optimists; others pessimists.Therefore, if half of happiness is genetic, then one should be sure to get the other half right!4http://commonsenseeconomics.com/Slide5

Secret to HappinessBig Life EventsAccording to Arthur Brooks, 40% of one’s happiness is determined by big life events.

Examples:Graduating from collegeWinning the lotteryDream vacationBut we shouldn’t chase the big events because… the satisfaction does not last long.Story of the lottery winners vs. the quadriplegics 5http://commonsenseeconomics.com/Slide6

Secret to HappinessChoices and cultivating habits of happinessChoices matter: People who believe that their choices shape their lives are happier than those who do not.

Four key areas for cultivation of happiness:Faith FamilyCommunityWork

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Secret to HappinessWork, Earned Success and HappinessA third of our adult lives are spent working.

Purposeful work and earned success are cornerstones of happiness.Purposeful work involves marrying your passions with your skills.Earned success is “the belief that you are creating value with your life and value in the lives of other people.”7http://commonsenseeconomics.com/Slide8

Secret to HappinessQuestions for Thought:Are your choices cultivating happiness

?Do you think money leads to happiness?David Geffen said, “Show me someone who thinks that money buys happiness and I’ll show you someone who has never had a lot of money.”Does he think money leads to happiness?8http://commonsenseeconomics.com/Slide9

The Importance of WorkWatch: Does Your Work Matter to God? with Hugh

WhelchelThis video from a religious organization provides lessons about work and career choice that apply to all.http://commonsenseeconomics.com/9Slide10

Importance of WorkWhat are the key attributes that make work valuable?Creativity

Building, solving, fixing, and serving provide us with satisfaction.Service to othersIn a market economy, service to others generates income.Serving others provides many with benefits over and above the earnings.PurposefulnessIf the work reflects the purpose of your life, it has value.Examples:Homemaker, teacher, counselor, construction worker, computer programmer, volunteer work10

http://commonsenseeconomics.com/Slide11

Importance of WorkWhat are the questions one should ask when considering their career?What does one find satisfying in life?

What type of work brings joy?What type of work is meaningful?Does this work bring purpose to your life?11http://commonsenseeconomics.com/Slide12

Career Choice, Education, and Happiness

12http://commonsenseeconomics.com/Read: Elite Colleges Don’t Buy Happiness for Graduates by Douglas BelkinSlide13

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Career Choice, Education, and Happiness

Educational Choices and Career SuccessChallenging and engaging work provides the foundation for happiness and a successful career.Impact of Elite College

Research indicates that going to an elite college does not enhance either financial success or engaging career work.Key Benefit from CollegeLearning and guidance derived from professor/mentor.Slide14

Should one go into debt to attend an elite university?

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Less student loan debt is associated with more thriving at work.

Compared to graduates with debt, college graduates without debt were more likely to start their own business.

Career Choice, Education, and HappinessSlide15

Stewardship and Giving15

http://commonsenseeconomics.com/Read: Why Giving Matters by Arthur Brooks

Watch: Stewardship and the Ugandan BishopSlide16

Stewardship and GivingBenefits of givingPeople who give are happier.

For example: Compared to others, regular blood donors report greater happiness.Giving is a leadership qualityIf one is seen as a giver they will also be seen as a leader.A good steward is generous and happier and this happiness spills over into work and earned success.16http://commonsenseeconomics.com/Slide17

Stewardship and GivingAttributes of Wise StewardshipNo matter how dire the circumstances, you have something to contribute.

All of us have skills, talents, and other resources. Stewardship requires us to use them wisely.Discover how you can use your resources constructively, rather than waiting for others to help.Constructive action is both contagious and essential for wise stewardship.17http://commonsenseeconomics.com/Slide18

The Importance of Character(Note: the entries

above are available in both reading and audio form)18http://commonsenseeconomics.com/

Read/Listen:

The Difference Once Can Make: The Story of Nicholas Winton

by Lawrence Reed.

Read/Listen:

The Difference One Can Make: The Importance of Character

by Lawrence ReedSlide19

The Importance of CharacterFive Key Elements of Character

Honesty Exhibiting integrity in small matters as well as large.Personal accountabilityDoing the right thing even when no one is looking.Exceeding ExpectationsDoing more than the minimum and going beyond the call of duty.DependabilityKeeping your commitments and reliably carrying out your obligations to others.Principled MotivationAction that is not motivated by the pursuit of recognition, glory, or fame.

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The Importance of CharacterCharacter is Essential for a Civil SocietyEdmund Burke quote,

“All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing.”Character is a key aspect of leadership and today’s world needs leadership.The founders of the U.S., including George Washington, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson, all argued that people of character and integrity are important for the maintenance of a free society.“To suppose that any form of government will secure liberty or happiness without any virtue in the people, is a chimerical idea.” — James Madison

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The Importance of CharacterQuestions for thought:Consider the five attributes of character mentioned above: honesty, personal accountability, exceeding expectations, dependability, and principled motivation. Illustrate how the behavior of various people in these two audios exhibit each of the five attributes of character.

Do you think character affects the employment opportunities of individuals? Why or why not?21http://k/